You have decided to use your PTO and go on vacation. How exciting! You have already gone through the basics of planning a trip. You even have a list of attractions you want to see, along with the available time slots. While preparing for and going on a trip is excellent, some steps are imperative before every trip. (The mention of companies or their affiliates are merely suggestions.)

These are some steps you want to take before you leave for any trip.

Create a checklist. Creating an inventory, such as a packing list, will help ensure you don’t miss anything.

Here is your pre-trip checklist!

House/Apartment

The Week of the Trip

Inventory your pantry and fridge to check for any perishables and leftovers. Rule of thumb: have enough food to last you until the day of your trip. Discard any perishable items the night before your trip and be sure to take the garbage out. Avoid keeping any leftovers. Use this time to clean up your place; this helps prevent any pests from coming over and enjoying a free stay while you’re gone. Plus, it’s always nice to come back to a clean home.

Three Days Before the Trip

Create an essentials packing list, or you can download mine! I forget things, so I have a toiletry bag pre-packed with all my needs, such as toothpaste and a hairbrush.  (Please make sure any liquid, gel, or aerosol containers are TSA-approved.)

If you are like my mom, who remembers to pack all her toiletries, you can pack your essentials two days before. If you are like me, it’s a good idea to make an essentials checklist or have one pre-packed. If you book through www.kayak.com  they actually give you a packing list to go through which is great!

Two Days Before the Trip

Start packing! You will also inform the post office (if you will be gone for more than week) and the credit card companies of your travel plans.  Also let someone you trust know about your travel plans. If you have pets and are not planning on bringing them along, you can leave them with a friend or get a pet sitter or book them their very own stay at a pet hotel. (I’m sure your cat would very much enjoy a spa retreat.)

One Day Before the Trip

Gather all your important documents such as passport, travel plans, check in for your flight, pay for luggage (if you are checking them in) and book a rideshare like Uber or Lyft (if you are not planning on driving or being driven to the airport by someone.)

If you are going to take your own car to the airport and plan to leave it there, reserve a spot two weeks before, this way you can book it for a lower price. During this time, you are going to pack and go over your essentials checklist to make sure you didn’t forget anything. If you have plants or trees, this is a good time to water them and set the timer on your sprinklers (if you own.)

The Day of the Trip

You are going to do a sweep of your house and check that the windows are locked, the backyard gates are locked, unplug appliances such as TV and microwave oven if you are going to be gone for more than a week.  It’s always a good idea to unplug any entertainment system and nonessential appliances such as toaster to prevent electrical fires.  Make sure your stove and oven are turned off.  If you have security system, then set your security alarm.  Do unplug all your lamps but set a timer on one in the common area such as the living room to turn on at a certain time in the evening, this will help deter any potential robbery.  You can find timers anywhere from Target to Amazon.

What are some of your to-dos before going on a trip?

Happy Journey!